ATM robbed in blast

Police are investigating an ATM blast at the St George Bank in West St, Umina, that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, December 20.

According to duty officer Inspector Bruce McGregor, police were called to West St at around 3.20am after reports of an explosion.

Inspector McGregor said police arrived at the scene and discovered extensive damage to an automatic teller machine at the front of the bank.

He said a crime scene was established and the road was closed until 11.30am the same morning.

"There are similarities between this incident and other ATM raids reported over the last few weeks," Inspector McGregor said.

"Police are not ruling out a link between the Umina incident and other raids around the state.

Inspector McGregor said some form of explosive device was used in the robbery which forensics would soon determine.

"A significant amount of money was removed from the ATM," Inspector McGregor said.

"A witness saw three men in balaclavas at the scene prior to the explosion but was threatened and told to leave immediately.

"Following the explosion the men were seen leaving the scene in a dark-coloured high-performance vehicle believed to be a Subaru or BMW."

Inspector McGregor confirmed Strike Force Piccadilly attended the crime scene and would be assisting Brisbane Water Police with its investigations.

Strike Force Piccadilly was established to target gangs of thieves using gas to blast ATMs to access cash boxes inside.

Police are calling on members of the public with information to come forward and assist with investigations by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The State Government is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to a conviction over the thefts and $50,000 from the Australian Banking Association.

The latest incident in Umina is the seventh time in a week that an ATM has been damaged by an explosion in NSW.

Other incidents have occurred in Telopea, Milperra and West Pennant Hills.

Clare Graham, 20 Dec 2008 Interviewee: Bruce McGregor, Brisbane Water Local Area Command